It is argued in this paper that, while newborn infants are ignorant of the the life-ways of the society into which they are born, by age 3 children have become socialized participants of their culture. It is the thesis of the discussion that the rapid development of babies into participants of society is accomplished through a finely tuned combination of the infant's skills and the guidance of more experienced people. First discussed are some of the ways infants quickly pick up great amounts of information regarding the workings of the new environment. Described next are some characteristics of adult/infant interaction that are regarded as well suited to the gradual immersion of infants in the skills and beliefs of the society. Finally, using data from 10 observations of adults interacting with one of two babies during play with a jack-in-a-box, the paper illustrates the argument that infant skills and adult/infant interactional strategies together produce development. (MP)